Pharmaceutical chemist Tang Tenghan

Abstract

Tang Tenghan (1900-1988), who was a famous pharmaceutical chemist in China, was born in Java, Indonesia. He received his PhD from Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Philosophy in Berlin University. After returning to China, Tang Tenghan was employed by Shandong University, National Pei Yang University, West China Union University and Tongji University, etc. He engaged in education and scientific research in Pharmacy, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. He was one of early scholars using pharmacognosy, chemistry and pharmacology on Chinese materia medica. At the same time, he held the concurrent position in pharmaceutical factory and took charge the production of drugs. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he organized and led the anti-chemical agent research in Academy of Military Medical Sciences. In addition, Tang Tenghan contributed to the preparation of pharmacopoeia, the compilation of textbooks and the cultivation of talents. This paper made a detailed investigation of Tang Tenghan's lifework, analyzed the contribution and significance of his work in the history of Chemistry and Pharmacy, reflected the spirit of a generation of scientists.